Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav and his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, held bilateral talks in Kathmandu on Sunday, pledging to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The two leaders, who led their respective delegations in a bilateral meeting following a courtesy call, discussed enhancing trade and tourism, encouraging high-level exchanges of visits, and exploring the possibility of direct air connectivity between Nepal and Vietnam.

They also agreed to deepen cooperation in regional and multilateral forums, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal said after the meeting.

Later in the day, Vice President Xuan also called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar. The discussions centred on ways to make the long-standing problem-free relations between the two Asian countries even stronger, with both leaders exchanging views on further expanding ties.

According to Bishnu Prasad Rimal, chief adviser to Prime Minister Oli, the meeting touched upon strengthening cooperation not only at the government-to-government level but also at the business-to-business and people-to-people levels of the two countries. The leaders also stressed on deepening diplomatic and cultural engagement.

Both sides emphasised the importance of carrying forward the friendship between Nepal and Vietnam by building on shared experiences and exploring new areas of partnership.

Earlier, she held a meeting with Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba on Saturday. During the meeting, Minister Deuba requested the Vietnamese Vice President to help initiate flights from Vietnam to the Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa and the Pokhara International Airport.

The visit, the first-ever highest-level engagement from Vietnam to Nepal, coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

The two nations have long cooperated at international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77, supporting each other’s global priorities.

Xuan’s visit underscores the growing importance both countries attach to their partnership. She is scheduled to return to Hanoi on Monday.